Mei gazed out the window, watching swirls of thick snow coat Petalburg city in a blanket of serene white. A blizzard killed with a silent hand, all feather-soft snowflakes, picturesque and beautiful. One hardly noticed they were being smothered until it was too late.[break][break]
She turned, long-lashed seafoam eyes settling on the man addressing her. Julien Demassieux was not the first rich politician to request her as an escort to some high-profile government affair, and he would not be the last - but she did find him easier to look at than many that had come before him. And, she observed, there was something sharp-edged about him - something finely honed, disciplined in its intricacy. KING WAYLAND could break a man's skull as easily as breathing, but he made no secret of it. Julien was dangerous in a subtle way, like a drop of odorless poison in an otherwise fragrant drink.[break][break]
"One's choice in alcohol speaks volumes," Mei purred. "Champagne would indicate we have something to celebrate. Red wine to sleep early, white to stay up. Sake is for closing deals, and brandy for intellectual debates."[break][break]
She smiled, a sultry invitation.[break][break]
"I myself favor bourbon. For passion and laughter."

TAGS – Julien Demassieux[break]
NOTES – MISSION | DRESS

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Julien's brow raised slightly in silent appreciation as Mei spoke. Her familiarity with alcohol was not what surprised him, for he expected as much from an escort regarded so highly by men in his circle. Instead, what surprised him was the poetry in her observations. [break][break]

Women of her trade did not often speak so intellectually. Their brains were not what men paid for. [break][break]

"Bourbon it is," Julien said, a smile curling his lips that was both amused and intrigued. He poured two glasses and brought them to the window where Mei lingered. One he handed to her, while he sipped from the other. [break][break]

The man took a moment to admire her, framed as she was by the curtains and the glass. He'd encountered his fair share of beautiful women in his nearly thirty-four years of life, but a dangerous edge set Mei apart from most of them. But it was not the tempestuous allure of rumor and scandal, as it had been with Elisabeth Fiorelli when she was still married. [break][break]

Mei was in control. Every casual gesture, sly smile, and flattering word were deployed in the exact way she wished, as if she were a wild Liepard stalking prey. The huntsman in Julien could not help but admire the huntsman in her. [break][break]

"What did you think of the gala?" he asked, leaning against the windowsill. They stood an arm's length apart, enough distance that she could consider their conversation friendly, not intimate. [break][break]

Though that could change at a moment's notice.

TAGS – Mei Liu[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Mei accepted the offered glass, the liquid within an inviting shade of rich amber. She took a sip, painted lips lingering on the rim as she savored the complexity of smoke, spice, and sweetness.[break][break]
"It was a gala like any other," Mei answered, eyeing Julien as he leaned against the window, seemingly unaffected by the cool touch of the frost-coated glass. Either it was thick enough that he could not feel any hint of the blizzard beyond or he was accustomed to the cold. She guessed it was the later, considering his origins. In fact, she had a feeling this exact type of weather was something of a comfort and a familiarity for him.[break][break]
"The usual peace treaties brokered between dance and drink," She continued. "I had hoped Councilwoman PENELOPE LIVY would be in attendance, but she must have had a prior engagement." Mei took another sip. "To be frank, the guest list was rather lacking. Delilah Silph the only member of her family to make an appearance? The Sinnoh ambassador suddenly fallen ill?" The escort's eyes glittered mischievously. "It is almost as if certain people are trying to avoid you."

TAGS – Julien Demassieux[break]
NOTES – MISSION | DRESS

[attr="class","pkmn"]

A gala like any other. Mei spoke with such nonchalance that Julien guessed she must have attended at least a hundred similar parties. [break][break]

He did not miss the note of playful disappointment in her tone, either, one that reinforced his earlier assumption: that she used other people as playthings. They were her entertainment when faced with yet another gala and yet another rich nobleman. [break][break]

"How astute," Julien said, his smile widening above the rim of his own glass. He took another sip of the rich, smoky bourbon before continuing, "In some ways, Hoenn's Council is not dissimilar to the peerage back home. Porcelain smiles and practiced words, but everyone holds each other at arm's length." [break][break]

Not that such coolness fazed him. Winter was the domain of the Demassieuxes, after all. And Julien himself was neither effusive with his emotions nor sensitive about how others felt. In the short span of that evening, Mei would have noticed that about him, were she insightful enough. [break][break]

"The Council wants Kalos' aid but not too much of it, otherwise they feel insecure of how much we encroach onto their territory. In public, they will put on a good face when they must meet me, but otherwise, they put off interacting when it's convenient to do so." [break][break]

Cowards, thought Julien.

TAGS – Mei Liu[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Cowards," Mei laughed musically, unknowingly echoing his unspoken sentiment. "It has always amused me that the League insists on nominating its leadership based primarily on battle prowess, when so many shy away from the simple matter of conversation."[break][break]
But not me, her eyes conveyed. There was a challenge to her posture, evident by the way she did not bow to his scrutiny nor the obvious gap in their social status. She'd entertained plenty of men like Julien: if anything, he had to earn her interest - otherwise he would be just another forgettable face in a portfolio of similarly privileged men.[break][break]
"Practicality always loses to pride," she added, hyper aware of his eyes watching her: a pale, opulent gold. "The region will suffer for it."

TAGS – Julien Demassieux[break]
NOTES – MISSION | DRESS

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"That's politics for you," Julien said, releasing a slight sigh. Yet his lips remained curled in a smirk. "But the challenge makes it exciting. I wouldn't have taken up this post if I thought otherwise." [break][break]

Pushing off from the windowsill, he walked a few steps to a large armchair situated next to the window. Setting down his glass of bourbon—for he was in no rush to finish it—he eased himself onto the chair like a prince on a throne. "But enough about work. We're here for pleasure." [break][break]

His accent caressed the word as his eyes drank in Mei's figure, svelte but not fragile. The soft blue silk of her dress complimented her pale complexion and brought out the vibrance in her eyes in an enchanting way. [break][break]

"Tell me about yourself, Miss Liu. What sort of things incite passion and laughter in you, besides a good bourbon?" Julien asked, unhurried. [break][break]

The later events of the night could wait. At the moment, conversation reigned.

TAGS – Mei Liu[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

He folded into the armchair like a king taking his throne, languid and regal. Mei lingered a moment longer by the window, keenly aware of his scrutiny of her figure. Appreciative, naturally. Lustful, subtly. He seemed perfectly content - if not eager - to speak with her a while longer, rather than move past pleasantries to take his pleasure.[break][break]
Good, a small part of her relished. When the sex was over, she became disposable again. Not that it bothered her: she was used to it. But it was nice to pretend, at least for a little while, that he cared about her opinions as much as her body.[break][break]
And besides, she liked conversation.[break][break]
"Spending time with my roommate," Mei answered, finally leaving the window to slip into the chair across from his. She crossed one leg over the other, revealing an expanse of smooth, pale skin. "She's my closest friend."[break][break]
Yumi had been busy as of late, however. Another party at the casino, more business affairs to attend to.[break][break]
"I'm fond of children, as well. I babysit from time to time."[break][break]
She'd been with Delta just the other day. A soft smile touched her lips as she thought of the girl.[break][break]
"And, perhaps as you saw earlier, I enjoy dancing. Especially when my partner knows what he's doing."[break][break]
Her eyes twinkled as she sipped her drink.

TAGS – Julien Demassieux[break]
NOTES – MISSION | DRESS

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Julien nodded as he listened, the smile on his lips matching Mei's at the mention of their earlier dances. Naturally, he knew them all, even if the activity did not interest him as much as it did others. But she'd held herself with such sensual confidence that dancing with her had been electrifying. He'd thoroughly enjoyed himself. [break][break]

A portent for what was to come, he supposed. [break][break]

"I'm not normally fond of dancing at these events, but you made it enjoyable," Julien said, "in terms of both skill and charming conversation." [break][break]

Picking up his glass again, he sipped from it as he turned her other answers over in his mind. They were surprisingly wholesome, providing an unexpected glimpse into Mei's deeper character. [break][break]

"You know, the world makes it easy to forget that the people around us are, in many ways, just ordinary people. Kings and nobles across the world, politicians like me…" He raised his glass in salute to the woman seated across from him. "Escorts such as yourself." [break][break]

Julien took another sip, then lowered his drink to his lap, where he cradled the glass with both hands. [break][break]

"Your answers were very ordinary. What young woman doesn't like to spend time with her friends? Why not have affection for small children?" His smile softened by a fraction. "I appreciate your honesty, Miss Liu. It's refreshing."

TAGS – Mei Liu[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"It seems you are used to women who are not above lying to you in order to impress."[break][break]
She chuckled, smile turning wry. It didn't surprise her, given the combination of riches and power. The fact that he was handsome was merely a bonus.[break][break]
"And what makes you ordinary, Monsieur Demassieux?"[break][break]
Her Kalosian was decent, and she enjoyed the way it rolled off her bourbon-soaked tongue.[break][break]
She leaned back in her chair, relaxing into the cozy, plush fabric. She'd enjoyed the luxuries of many five star hotels throughout her tenure as an escort, but each time she was treated to such decadence she could not help but feel a sense of gratitude. She would simply never forget shivering to sleep in the soiled back-alleys of Celadon City, surviving off scraps until Rocket had plucked her off the streets. It had been a mercy, to sleep on a mattress with blankets and pillows, regardless of who she'd shared it with.

TAGS – Julien Demassieux[break]
NOTES – MISSION | DRESS

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Very little made Julien Demassieux ordinary. His upbringing alone was something most people could only dream of: growing up in an ancient castle, traveling to all parts of the world from a young age, attending the most prestigious schools. [break][break]

Yet even he, in the private sanctuary of his home, was an ordinary man. [break][break]

"My favorite home-cooked meal is ratatouille, a vegetable stew very common in the Kalosian countryside," Julien said. A touch of wistfulness entered his voice as he spoke. "Pair it with some fresh, toasted bread, and you have what I'd consider a 'comfort food'. I often make it when I miss home." [break][break]

How strange it felt, to bare such vulnerability to a complete stranger. A lesser man might have felt insecure and uncomfortable, but Julien simply sat back in the chair's cushions and sipped his bourbon. Let Mei think what she wanted. [break][break]

"And I like peace and quiet. Snowfall like this," he raised his eyes to the window again, "is the perfect time for simply sitting with a book and some hot chocolate."

TAGS – Mei Liu[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Mei tried to remember if she'd ever had ratatouille before. Surely she had, though it did not necessarily stand out in her mind. She felt suddenly resolved to try it - perhaps Yumi would enjoy having it one night for dinner. Mei was the primary cook of their little household - when they didn't order delivery or eat out - so she was generally in charge of the weekly menu and groceries.[break][break]
Perhaps it was the slight buzz of the bourbon, or perhaps it was simply the fact that she was enjoying the rather intimate conversation, but all of a sudden, she did not like there being so much distance between them. She imagined running the tips of her fingers down the sharp angle of his jaw - not because it was expected, but because she wanted to.[break][break]
"And do you often miss home?" She asked, voice low and sultry, seafoam eyes sincerely curious as she gazed at him. Her drink was finished, so she set the empty glass on the small, ornate table between them with a soft clink.

TAGS – Julien Demassieux[break]
NOTES – MISSION | DRESS

[attr="class","pkmn"]

While Julien contemplated how to answer Mei's question, he finished the last of his bourbon. As he put the empty glass onto the table next to hers, he settled on the best words to express his perspective. [break][break]

"Yes, during all seasons and in all weather," he admitted. "When it's cold and snowing like this, I miss the solitude of a horseback ride through the forest. When it's sweltering hot, like it was this past summer, I miss the view of the mountains and the crisp morning air." [break][break]

Absently, he unlatched his Rolex from his wrist. He didn't put it aside just yet, however. [break][break]

"I am constantly reminded how much of an outsider I am wherever I go. Before Hoenn, it was Galar. Before Galar, it was Lumiose City." [break][break]

Despite his words, Julien's tone did not carry any regret or bitterness. Instead, he spoke with the casual confidence of a man who had made his choice a long time ago. [break][break]

"I'm used to being far from home," he said, finally placing his watch on the table next to his glass. He arched an eyebrow at Mei, tilting his head to indicate her turn for vulnerability. "And what about you? Are you far from home too, Miss Liu?"

TAGS – Mei Liu[break]
NOTES – mission | outfit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

There were three types of men who hired escorts. The overwhelming majority were assholes; the very fact that they needed to pay for sex was telling, and when she ended up alone with them, they would take their pleasure with greedy hands and a selfish disregard for her wellbeing: entirely expected, but no less distasteful. Then there were the socially inept, shy men - equally incapable of wooing women on their own, but harmless and short-lived when it came time to have their way with her.[break][break]
Rarest of them all, were the men who were perfectly charming - perhaps even genuinely chivalrous - but who lacked companionship for some contextual reason: far from home being one of them.[break][break]
Julien was lonely, and Mei found herself suddenly enamored with the raw vulnerability on display before her: the depth of his sincerity.[break][break]
"Technically? I am," Mei replied softly. "I was born in Kanto, but I don't miss it." She shrugged, allowing the brief flash of memories to color her expression with a sudden complexity. Dirty streets, seedy brothels, Rocket-run establishments full of caged luxuries, the GOSSAMER training facility, her first assassination...[break][break]
"Hoenn is my home now. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to make a new life for myself here."[break][break]
She smiled, meaning it. She was lucky. So many had fallen to Rocket's harsh scrutiny, but not Mei. She had survived, and now she would not only continue to do so - she would thrive.[break][break]
"Call me Mei," she added, meaning that too.

TAGS – Julien Demassieux[break]
NOTES – MISSION | DRESS

[attr="class","pkmn"]